al|li|ga|tor

al|li|ga|tor «AL uh _GAY tuhr», noun, adjective, verb.

–n.

1. a large reptile with a rather thick skin, similar to the crocodile but having a shorter and flatter head. There are two species of alligators. One lives in the rivers and marshes of the southeastern United States and the other in and near the lower Yangtze River in China.

2. leather prepared from the skin of an alligator.

3. an amphibian vehicle for carrying troops and supplies ashore.

4. Slang. a jazz enthusiast who is not a musician.

5. a machine that has a strong jaw or jaws, such as one for bringing the balls of iron from a puddling furnace into compact form for handling, or a kind of rock breaker.

–adj.

of or having the appearance of alligator (leather): »

alligator shoes.

–v.i.

U.S. to develop cracks, ridges, or small blisters: »

The paint alligators … under the first hot sun (New York Times).

╂[< Spanish el lagarto the lizard < Latin lacertus lizard]